US Acknowledges Panama Canal Sovereignty Amid China Concerns

The United States has officially recognized Panama's sovereignty over the Panama Canal during a visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marking the first trip by a Pentagon chief to Panama in decades. Hegseth emphasized the need to protect the canal from Chinese influence, stating, "We are helping to take back the Panama Canal from communist Chinese influence." Despite this acknowledgment, there were discrepancies in the joint statements released, with the English version omitting a key phrase affirming Panama's sovereignty that was included in the Spanish version. The Panamanian government has strongly rejected claims that China controls the canal, while U.S. experts express concerns about potential espionage through Chinese-operated infrastructure. Both nations have agreed to deepen military cooperation, although Panama's Minister for Public Security made it clear that there will be no permanent U.S. military bases established in the country. This development comes amid escalating security tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly in Central America.